Nepal, a beautiful country with history and heritage, has been taking steps to increase foreign tourism. Home to ten of the world's 14 highest mountains, it offers the best hiking, mountaineering and white water rafting.
The country is home to 10 natural and cultural Unesco World Heritage Sites. In a recent move, a first-of-its-kind bus service has been operational, connecting five of these UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu and Lalitpur.
This bus service was inaugurated by the Nepal Tourism Board, Sasha Yataya and Lalitpur Metropolitan City at an event in Lalitpur.
Two electric buses of Sajha Yatayat will provide convenient and hassle-free tour services from the tourist bus park in Lalitpur.
What is the route decided?
The 45 km route starts from Sajha Yatayat in Pulchowk and passes through Patan Durbar Square, Basantapur Durbar Square, the Mahankal temple, Narayanhiti Royal Palace, Kamalpokhari, Pashupati Gaushala, Taragaon museum, Bouddhanath Stupa, Narayan Gopal Chowk, Swoyambhu, Jawlakhel and ends at the Sajha Yatayat’s station in Pulchowk.
The buses will not be stopping at Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Changu Narayan, which also fall under World Heritage Sites.
The total route will take approximately 3 hours to complete.
These buses will be plying on the designated route for the whole day every 30- 45 minutes. The visitors can hop onto any available bus to reach the next destination.
What is the fare of the hop on hop off buses?
The bus tickets are likely to be priced between Rs 800-Rs 1,000, for foreigners and around Rs 500, for locals, and are to be fixed by the Department of Transport later.
With a seating capacity of 25 passengers, the buses are wheelchair friendly. Of the two buses- one has an air conditioning facility. The buses will also be equipped with digital screens, brochures and sound systems to inform the tourists about the heritage sites.
As per reports, Sajha imported 40 electric buses last year. However, only six of them are in operation due to inadequate infrastructure. The biggest problem faced is the parking and charging of these buses. Sajha Yatayat has requested the federal government to provide a parking facility at the trolley bus station in New Baneshwor.
“If we get the parking space, we will add some more buses in service and expand the operation to the heritage sites in Bhaktapur and Khokana as well,” said Mahendra Raj Pandey, managing director of Sajha Yatayat.
So will you be hopping on these buses soon? Comment below!
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